Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across the MLB. Throughout the year we ask questions of the most plugged-in Diamondbacks fans and fans across the country.
So, that was the trade deadline. It passed, as far as the Diamondbacks are concerned, not with a bang but with a whimper. The sole trade in which the team was involved, was for the acquisition of Lars Nootbaar. Once you get past the undeniable pleasures to be had from saying his name, the truth is he is pretty much just a play-off
eligible version of Max Kepler, an outfielder who hits left-handed. The team’s other needs, from a 1B/DH type, through a starting pitcher to replace Mitch Bratt or Kohl Drake, or a left-handed reliever now that Brandyn Garcia seems to be Chairman of the Closer Committee, were all unaddressed.
On the one hand, without making any changes, the D-backs are currently in a tie for the second wild-card spot in the National League. They will also be getting reinforcements back, in the shape of Michael Soroka, Justin Martinez and Corbin Burnes. While there can be no guarantees they will immediately return to their pre-injury forms, it has to be said, the bar to be better than Bratt + Drake (combined ERA 5.08 and FIP north of six) or Paul Sewald (6.45 ERA) is not exactly high. The same goes for Jordan Lawlar and Lourdes Gurriel. Arizona’s outfield as a whole ranks 21st by OPS at .701 – and we have the slumping Corbin Carroll to thank for why it’s even there.
On the other hand, there is a case to be made that many of the other teams involved in the hunt for the postseason made more significant moves to improve than Arizona. Clearly, the Dodgers acquisition of Tarik Skubal leads the way. But the Padres picked up two starting pitchers in Casey Mize and former D-back Robbie Ray; the Phillies added MLB batting average leader Luis Arraez; the Cubs brought Kevin Gausman aboard, etc. According to Fangraphs, all three teams improved their postseason chances, by between 3.4 and 8.6 percent. Meanwhile, the D-backs’ odds dropped by 2.7 percent. In a potentially very tight race, that’s a significant swing.
But, right now, the article says Arizona are still seen as favored – albeit very marginally, at 50.3% – to reach the playoffs. So it seems a good point at which to pose a very simple question for this week’s SnakePit Reacts poll. Do we make the postseason? Answers below, and feel free to explain why in the comments.
